To do this, grab the end of their tail first, and pull them along slowly, until they seem relaxed.

Then grab the base of their head, and put them in a bag.

You can then release the copperhead in an appropriate area.

Have fun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solid Snake

How do you think the professionals become professionals?

Yeah, they train or mentor under experienced hot keepers for years and don't take advice from people on forums that are about chameleons. Joking or not that is one of the most irresponsible things I've read on any forum in a long time.

Damn! I cant find a damn Copperhead for the life of me. I just want to take pics and let them be but all kinds of people tell me "I just killed so many the other day"

I understand venomous snakes being trouble around a house especially with kids and animals around. We did, however, invade on them so its our job to call the proper authorities/professional to come catch them and release them in the proper habitat even if it costs a bit. Snakes are really good pest control and the Southern Copperheads venom is being researched for a cure for breast cancer. Save the snakes!!!! They could save us one day!

__________________Kinyongia Chameleon Keepers
War is peace and freedom is the police state.

I have found Copperheads to employ two primary means of defense when first encountered. One is to freeze completely, likely in hopes that they will remain invisible to any potential harm. Two is that they dart away in a hasty retreat.
When first grabbed by tongs, I have found Copperheads are sometimes quick to swing around and even bite the tongs. I can imagine that anyone attempting to "grab the snake by the tail" as it was retreating would be in serious danger of snake bite.

It is sometimes extremely difficult to get a Copperhead to "stay put" while I am taking pictures. They seem to always want to crawl away rather than stand their ground. If disturbed enough, they will vibrate their tail and emit a foul-smelling musk.

I thank each and everyone who posted on this thread, it is very appreciated and I know Steve would rather relocate than kill, even this being a poisonous snake.......Steve did pull up an old tree stump this morning and blew all the old leaves away from the edges of the house, also bought some snake repellant to spread around the yard, we did call a snake expert to come to the house and see if there was anything he could do, but during the daytime they are hard to find unless you went into the woods and tried to find them, we are surrounded by woods on every side of the house, he suggested the repellent and also mothballs and not to water for a few days......Steve really hates to have to kill these things, but on our front door steps, in our garage and so many in the yard, well that is just too close and dangerous for us and our dogs.......we will see what happens tonight.

IMHO telling someone to do such an irresponsible thing on the chamelon is crazy...there are children in here that read these threads too...and i think the professionals have training and mentoring..people can research these threads for years to come,so lets hope you dont have children reading that thread or grandchildren in the years that will do so...sorry for being harsh...but if my child read that id be quite upset...

Yeah, they train or mentor under experienced hot keepers for years and don't take advice from people on forums that are about chameleons. Joking or not that is one of the most irresponsible things I've read on any forum in a long time.

Well, I guess I have to agree.

It does seem like everyone understood that it was mostly joking.

In an emergency situation though, if someone absolutely had to handle one, they should know not to just grab it like Chuck Norris yes?

No snakes tonight, maybe the repellent worked or they got scared, but anyway, Steve made a snake catcher and a keeper box, he was going to catch them tonight and release them a mile or so down the road tomorrow....lets see if they will stay away.......thanks everyone!